'Kim Jong Nam killed by VX nerve agent,' say Malaysian police

'Kim Jong Nam killed by VX nerve agent,' say Malaysian police. February. 25, 2017 07:15. by Gi-Jae Han record@donga.com.

It has been confirmed that an extremely toxic VX nerve agent classified as a chemical warfare agent used in the killing of Kim Jong Nam.

Malaysian police issued a press release on Friday and said that the Center for Chemical Weapons Analysis under the Chemistry Department of Malaysia found the substance after an analysis of swabs taken from the face and eyes of the dead North Korean. In a brief statement, Khalid Abu Baker, the inspector general, said that the cause of Kim Jong Nam’s death was the VX nerve agent, an agent used in chemical warfare and Malaysia ratified the Chemical Weapons Conventions (CWC). Thus, the inspector general said that the police are now investigating how the chemical entered the country as Malaysia banned the use of this substance under the CWC.

VX is tasteless and odorless and this highly toxic chemical causes damage to the central nerve system. A dose of about 10 milligrams is enough to kill by skin contact. With the identification of VX, Malaysian police provided an evidence that contradicts to the argument of the North Korean authority, which is insisting that Mr. Kim died a natural death.

The inspector general said that more items linked to the attack might still be remained at the Kula Lumpur airport and the police will continue investigate the scene with the help of specialists. As for the question whether North Korea is responsible for the death of Mr. Kim, he didn’t talk much and just said that they are still investigating the case.

There is also a possibility that the authority may find other toxic substances. Malaysian police said that they are still analyzing the samples taken from Mr. Kim. Some local media reported that methyl parathion, a highly toxic insecticide, might be used for the killing. There was also a report that the police arrested a Malaysian man in his 30s and seized several chemicals and protective gloves on Wednesday from a condominium in Kula Lumpur. The police are now investigating on the possibility that he may be involved in the alleged assassination of Mr. Kim by helping to produce the toxic chemical.

In the meantime, the confusion continues over the release of Kim’s body, the deputy inspector general Noor Rashid Ibrahim told on Thursday that Kim Jong Nam’s family could arrive within one to two days. However, the inspector general answered on Friday that nothing has been decided. British daily broadsheet newspaper Telegraph observed that Kim Sol Hui, daughter of Kim Jong Nam, will visit Malaysia on Sunday, instead of Kim’s son, Kim Han Sol.